BIO: Lachlan Barker grew up in the northern Tasmanian town of Somerset, where he started his basketball with the Penguin Basketball Club .

NBL EXPERIENCE

Lachlan Barker made his NBL debut with the South East Melbourne Phoenix at 25 years of age. He went scoreless in his first NBL game.

South East Melbourne Phoenix sought to build on their first-ever Finals appearance by re-signing head coach Simon Mitchell to a one-year deal and retaining key players, including Kyle Adnam, Ryan Broekhoff, Izayah Le’Afa, and Mitch Creek. To offset the departures of Keifer Sykes (to the NBA) and Yanni Wetzell (to New Zealand), the team bolstered their roster with the additions of Tohi Smith-Milner, Zhou Qi, Zach Hankins, and Xavier Munford.

The Phoenix started strong, winning three of their first four games. However, injuries to Zhou Qi and Ryan Broekhoff midway through the season significantly impacted their performance. As a result, South East Melbourne struggled in the second half, winning just six of their final 14 games to finish with a 15-13 record, placing sixth on the ladder. Despite the challenges, a season highlight came when they defeated Perth in overtime (102–100), ending the Wildcats’ 35-year playoff streak.

Amid injury and COVID-19-related absences, the Phoenix utilized several replacement players, including Lachlan Barker, who joined mid-season. Over 14 games, including one start, Barker averaged 2.6 points, 0.7 rebounds, and 0.3 assists. His standout performance came in February against the Sydney Kings, where he scored a season-high 14 points.

Lachie Barker is providing a serious spark ⚡️

In his first NBL career start, the @NBL1 star has 10 first-half points to lead the @SEMelbPhoenix #NBL22 live on @ESPNAusNZ + @kayosports pic.twitter.com/GUOulMYJj5— The NBL (@NBL) February 10, 2022

2022/23
Melbourne entered NBL23 after finishing the previous regular season first with a 20-8 record before losing the deciding semifinal against Tasmania without injured captain Chris Goulding. Jo Lual-Acuil (to China), Caleb Agada (to Prometey), Jack White (to Denver) and Matthew Dellavedova (to Sacramento) exited, with White and Dellavedova receiving NBA opportunities despite being contracted and leaving coach Dean Vickerman scrambling for replacements late in the off-season. Goulding, Shea Ili, Ariel Hukporti and Brad Newley returned, while Isaac Humphries (via Adelaide), Xavier Rathan-Mayes (via Illawarra), Rayjon Tucker, Jordan Caroline (via Trento), Makuach Maluach (via Darwin) and development player Joshua Duach were added. David Barlow also reversed his retirement decision and returned to the playing roster.

Lachlan Barker was added to Melbourne’s extended playing squad in September, joining Campbell Blogg outside United’s permanent 11-player roster after previously playing with South East Melbourne. With Ili sidelined by concussion symptoms, Barker was elevated as a nominated replacement player and suited up in his place during the opening rounds.

Melbourne suffered another major setback when Next Star Hukporti ruptured his Achilles during the NBL Blitz and was ruled out for the season, while Mason Peatling remained unavailable following off-season knee surgery. Barker made his United debut in the season opener, recording 3 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist as Melbourne defeated New Zealand 101-97 in overtime behind Rathan-Mayes (33 points, 5 rebounds, 9 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) and Goulding (24 points and 2 steals), while Dererk Pardon (23 points, 12 rebounds, and 2 blocks) was the Breakers’ best.

Barker (2.9 points across 15 games) remained an extended-roster player rather than part of Melbourne’s permanent contracted rotation. Three of the 13 games not included among his appearances were missed while recovering from concussion, while the remaining ten resulted from his nominated-replacement status and selection, with the guard either outside the playing group or listed without taking the court once United’s contracted players returned. He averaged 10 minutes and made one start.

Barker’s best game came against Sydney at John Cain Arena on October 9, where he made two three-pointers and finished with 10 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist in 17 minutes, but Melbourne lost 91-71 after falling behind 57-23 during the first half. Caroline (10 points, 10 rebounds, and 1 steal) and Barlow (9 points and 2 rebounds) provided support, while Xavier Cooks (23 points, 9 rebounds, and 1 block) led the Kings.

His third appearance lasted only 36 seconds in Perth on October 14 before a screen from Jesse Wagstaff left him concussed, with Humphries (17 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 blocks) and Rathan-Mayes (17 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists) leading Melbourne to an 84-81 victory, while Bryce Cotton (32 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals) was Perth’s best. The concussion ruled Barker out of the following three games, with Vickerman saying, “We’ve lost two point guards, we’ve lost our back-up four man, we’re missing our center.” Barker (1 point, 2 assists, and 1 steal) returned to make his first start for United in Wollongong on October 29, where Rathan-Mayes (32 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Humphries (20 points, 12 rebounds, and 2 blocks) led Melbourne to a 106-100 double-overtime victory, while Sam Froling (27 points and 15 rebounds) led Illawarra.

Caroline (5.5 points and 6.2 rebounds across 6 games; to Manresa) was released in November after Hukporti’s injury changed Melbourne’s frontcourt requirements, with Marcus Lee (8.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks across 17 games; via Manresa) signed as his replacement. Peatling and Ili also returned to the rotation, reducing the opportunities available to United’s nominated replacement players.

Melbourne fell to 5-10 during a five-game losing streak before winning 10 of its final 13 games. Tucker (18.1 points and 6.1 rebounds across 28 games) and Goulding (17.1 points across 27 games) led United offensively, while Rathan-Mayes (14.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.5 assists across 28 games), Humphries (9.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks across 23 games), Ili (8.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.9 assists across 14 games), Lee and Peatling (5.3 points and 4.3 rebounds across 18 games) were the other major contributors. Goulding received All-NBL Second Team honours and Melbourne’s Most Valuable Player award, while Lee was named the club’s Defensive Player of the Year. Humphries also publicly came out as gay during the season, with Melbourne helping introduce the NBL’s inaugural Champion Pride Round.

After the season, Barker (to Tasmania) signed a one-year nominated replacement player deal with the JackJumpers for NBL24.

Melbourne entered its final game needing to defeat Adelaide and receive a favourable result from Sydney’s game against Perth to qualify for the play-in tournament. Barker (4 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 steal), Tucker (31 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 block) and Goulding (23 points and 2 steals) helped United defeat the 36ers 116-107 before 10,175 fans at John Cain Arena, while Antonius Cleveland (30 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) was Adelaide’s best. Perth then defeated Sydney 96-84 to claim sixth place on points percentage, leaving Melbourne seventh with a 15-13 record.

TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS
2023/24
After finishing fourth at 16-12 and falling to New Zealand in Game 3 of the NBL23 Playoffs, Tasmania returned under coach Scott Roth without Josh Magette, Rashard Kelly, Matt Kenyon (to South East Melbourne), Sam McDaniel (to Brisbane) and Isaac White (to Brisbane). The JackJumpers retained Milton Doyle, Jack McVeigh, Will Magnay, Clint Steindl, Sean MacDonald, Fabijan Krslovic and Jarred Bairstow, while Anthony Drmic (via Adelaide), Junior Madut (via South East Melbourne), Marcus Lee (via Melbourne), Jordon Crawford (via Piratas de Quebradillas) and Majok Deng (via Cairns) joined the roster.

Tasmanian-born Lachlan Barker returned home after spending the previous season with Melbourne United, signing as a Nominated Replacement Player and training full-time with the JackJumpers’ 15-man squad. “Lachlan adds depth to our backcourt as a creator and proven scorer at the NBL1 level. He has had to work hard his whole career to get opportunities at the NBL level, and that fits perfectly with the JackJumpers DNA. He wants to prove he belongs at this level, and we are excited to get him into our group.”

Barker was elevated to the active roster when Doyle returned to the United States following the death of his father in December, then received another opportunity when Deng suffered an ankle injury over Christmas. His best game came against Cairns at MyState Bank Arena on January 6, where Barker (4 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 steal) made his only field-goal attempt, a three-pointer, in eight minutes as Tasmania defeated the Taipans 103-86. Doyle (31 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) and Lee (16 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block) led the JackJumpers, while Tahjere McCall (20 points, 2 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 steal) was Cairns’ leading scorer.

Barker (1.3 points across 11 games) remained a depth option throughout the season and was used when injuries opened a place on the active roster. McVeigh (17.3 points and 5.9 rebounds across 37 games), Crawford (16.1 points and 3.2 assists across 37 games), Doyle (15.7 points, 5 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.2 steals across 36 games) and Magnay (10.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks across 27 games) led Tasmania to third place with a 16-12 record. MacDonald (8 points across 37 games), Deng (7.5 points across 26 games), Drmic (6.8 points and 4.7 rebounds across 37 games) and Lee (6.1 points and 5.4 rebounds across 34 games) were the other main contributors. McVeigh and Doyle were named to the All-NBL Second Team, while MacDonald won the NBL Most Improved Player award.

Tasmania opened the postseason with a 92-76 win over Illawarra, led by McVeigh (26 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 steals), Magnay (25 points, 10 rebounds, 2 steals, and 4 blocks) and Crawford (20 points), while Gary Clark (21 points, 10 rebounds, and 1 block) was the Hawks’ best. Perth then won Game 1 of the Playoffs 89-81 behind Keanu Pinder (25 points and 7 rebounds) and Bryce Cotton (15 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists), while Crawford (19 points) and McVeigh (17 points) led Tasmania. The JackJumpers responded at home with a 102-94 win as Doyle (24 points and 6 rebounds), McVeigh (22 points) and Deng (18 points and 5 rebounds) led the way, while Cotton (26 points and 3 steals) and Kristian Doolittle (20 points and 9 rebounds) were Perth’s best. Game 3 returned to RAC Arena, where McVeigh (27 points and 6 rebounds), Doyle (24 points, 4 rebounds, 9 assists, and 2 steals) and Magnay (18 points and 9 rebounds) powered Tasmania to a 100-84 victory, while Cotton (21 points) led Perth.

Melbourne opened the Championship Series with a 104-81 win behind Chris Goulding (22 points) and Jo Lual-Acuil (20 points, 11 rebounds, 1 steal, and 2 blocks), while Drmic (18 points) and Doyle (16 points and 8 rebounds) led Tasmania. Game 2 moved to Hobart, where McVeigh (16 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists), Crawford (13 points and 4 assists) and Doyle (13 points and 10 rebounds) helped Tasmania level the series with an 82-77 win, while Shea Ili (20 points) and Goulding (19 points and 2 steals) led Melbourne. Tasmania then took a 2-1 series lead with a 93-91 win at John Cain Arena behind McVeigh (18 points and 12 rebounds), Deng (15 points) and Doyle (14 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals), while Matthew Dellavedova (21 points, 8 assists, and 3 steals) and Goulding (17 points) led United.

Lee suffered a knee injury during Game 3 and was ruled out for the remainder of the series, allowing Barker to be elevated as his Nominated Replacement Player. Barker did not enter Game 4, where Melbourne kept its season alive with an 88-86 win despite McVeigh (28 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 steals), with Ian Clark (18 points and 4 rebounds), Luke Travers (17 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks) and Goulding (17 points) leading United.

Game 5 returned to John Cain Arena, where Crawford (32 points and 6 rebounds), McVeigh (14 points and 8 rebounds), Magnay (11 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 blocks) and Doyle (11 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 steals) led Tasmania, while Lual-Acuil (14 points and 6 rebounds), Dellavedova (13 points and 7 assists) and Travers (13 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks) led Melbourne. Barker again remained on the bench as Tasmania won 83-81 to secure its first NBL championship, with McVeigh named Grand Final MVP.

2024/25
After defeating Melbourne United 3-2 to win the first championship in club history, Tasmania began its title defence under head coach Scott Roth and captain Clint Steindl without Grand Final MVP Jack McVeigh (to Houston), Marcus Lee (to Melbourne), Majok Majok (to South East Melbourne), Tom Vodanovich (to South East Melbourne), and Jarred Bairstow (to Brisbane). Roth retained Milton Doyle, Jordon Crawford, Will Magnay, Majok Deng, Anthony Drmic, Sean MacDonald, and Fabijan Krslovic, while adding Gorjok Gak (via South East Melbourne), Craig Sword (via Indiana Mad Ants), and Reuben Te Rangi (via South East Melbourne).

After spending the previous season with his home-state team and helping Tasmania win the championship as a nominated replacement player, Barker was advised on May 16 that he would not receive a full contract for NBL25. He returned for his second year with the JackJumpers on September 18 after MacDonald suffered a sprained ankle during the FIBA Intercontinental Cup, signing as his nominated replacement player before the season opener. “Lachie is a great addition to the group. We’re pleased to welcome him back as he’s obviously already familiar with our systems and we loved having him as part of the group last season,” Roth said.

Tasmania opened its title defence against Melbourne at HoopsFest in Perth on September 19, where Barker (3 points) made his only three-point attempt during 13:45 off the bench, but United won 88-79. Doyle (23 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 steals) and Magnay (14 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 blocks) led the JackJumpers, while Matthew Dellavedova (21 points, 3 rebounds, and 6 assists) was Melbourne’s best.

Barker (2 points across 10 games) remained in the rotation during MacDonald’s absence, playing a season-high 17:07 against Illawarra at the WIN Entertainment Centre on October 12. Barker (5 points and 2 rebounds) made one three-pointer for his best scoring game of the season, but the Hawks handed Tasmania the heaviest defeat in club history with a 109-76 win. Crawford (19 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals) and Magnay (11 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) led the JackJumpers, while Sam Froling (21 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block) was Illawarra’s leading scorer.

MacDonald returned against Brisbane on November 15 and replaced Barker on the active roster. Barker was elevated again as Crawford’s nominated replacement player when the import guard entered concussion protocols, making his final appearance in Adelaide on November 30. Barker (3 points and 1 steal) made his only shot during 2:22 as Tasmania defeated the 36ers 77-73, with MacDonald (15 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Magnay (15 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 blocks) leading the JackJumpers while Isaac Humphries (19 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 steals) was Adelaide’s best.

Crawford (16 points and 4.4 assists across 28 games) led Tasmania in scoring and won club MVP, while Doyle (14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.2 steals across 29 games) remained one of the team’s main creators. Magnay (13.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 1.6 blocks across 13 games), Deng (11.5 points and 5 rebounds across 26 games), MacDonald (11.2 points and 3.8 assists across 9 games), Drmic (8.1 points and 4 rebounds across 28 games), Steindl (5.4 points across 29 games), and Te Rangi (5.1 points and 3.1 rebounds across 29 games) were the other main contributors. Sword (6.3 points across 15 games; to Kaohsiung) was released in December and Ian Hummer (via Osaka) joined for the remainder of the season.

After falling to 3-8, Tasmania won eight consecutive games to improve to 11-8 but collected only two victories from its final 10 games. Barker did not play in the annual Teal Game at MyState Bank Arena on February 8, where Tasmania defeated Cairns 90-83 and finished seventh with a 13-16 record, missing the play-in tournament on percentage and the postseason for the first time in club history, with Deng (21 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) and Crawford (19 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block) leading the JackJumpers while Tanner Groves (17 points and 8 rebounds) led Cairns.

CAIRNS TAIPANS
2025/26
Cairns entered NBL26 attempting to recover from an 8-21 wooden-spoon season, with Adam Forde initially departing before returning as head coach. Rob Edwards (to Xinjiang), Taran Armstrong (to Golden State), Tanner Groves (to Nagasaki), Pedro Bradshaw (to Rostock), Akoldah Gak (to Mexico City), Jonah Antonio, Jackson Makoi, Deshon Taylor, Tad Dufelmeier Jr and Dillon Stith exited, while Sam Waardenburg, Kyrin Galloway, Kyle Adnam, Kody Stattmann and Alex Higgins-Titsha returned, with Stattmann and Higgins-Titsha elevated from development-player status. Forde rebuilt the roster with Jack McVeigh (via Houston), Admiral Schofield (via Lyon), Marcus Lee (via Melbourne), Reyne Smith (via Louisville), Mawot Mag (via BYU), Lloyd McVeigh (via South Adelaide) and Jed Richardson (via Northside), while Ashton Hagans (via Xinjiang) was initially signed before a mutual release, with Andrew Andrews (via Vilnius) replacing him before the season.

Barker (via Tasmania) joined Cairns as a nominated replacement player on September 19 after Waardenburg underwent ankle surgery immediately before the season. The 29-year-old guard had spent the pre-season with the Taipans after averaging 18.4 points, 3.7 assists and 3 rebounds for North West Tasmania, and had also played under Forde while helping Australia win gold at the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup. Cairns became his fifth NBL club after previous opportunities with Sydney, South East Melbourne, Melbourne and Tasmania, where he was part of the JackJumpers’ NBL24 championship group alongside Jack McVeigh and Lee.

Cairns opened the season at John Cain Arena on September 20, where Barker (2 assists) played 13:20 from the bench, but South East Melbourne defeated the Taipans 114-77. Smith (19 points and 6 rebounds) and Jack McVeigh (18 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists) led Cairns, while Glover (18 points and 5 rebounds) was the Phoenix’s leading scorer.

Barker (4.5 points across 26 games) moved from injury cover into a regular place in the rotation, making four starts and providing defensive pressure across both guard positions. Forde regularly used him against opposing ball-handlers, with his willingness to accept difficult defensive assignments keeping him in the lineup throughout Cairns’ injury-disrupted campaign.

Making his third start against South East Melbourne at the State Basketball Centre on January 24, Barker (11 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) played a season-high 25:47 as Cairns built an early 14-point lead before the Phoenix recovered to win 118-91. Jack McVeigh (21 points and 6 rebounds) and Andrews (20 points and 11 assists) led the Taipans, while Glover (22 points) was South East Melbourne’s leading scorer.

Barker’s best scoring game came against Sydney at the Cairns Convention Centre on February 1, where he made four three-pointers and finished with a career-high 18 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists, and 1 steal in 19:08. Cairns led by 24 points during the second quarter before Sydney recovered to win 106-92, with Galloway (17 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks) and King (17 points and 9 rebounds) providing support, while Davis (35 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists) led the Kings.

King (11.2 points and 4.4 rebounds across 22 games) returned to Cairns as an injury replacement after Higgins-Titsha (6.3 points and 4.6 rebounds across 9 games) suffered a season-ending wrist injury, while Dennis (0 points across 1 game) was later added as temporary cover during the team’s continuing injury problems.

Jack McVeigh (21.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4 assists across 29 games) and Waardenburg (15.5 points and 5.4 rebounds across 8 games) were Cairns’ two leading scorers, although Waardenburg was restricted by ankle injuries. Andrews (14.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 7.6 assists across 31 games) carried much of the season-long offence and led the playmaking, while Smith (9.9 points across 14 games), Schofield (8.8 points and 4.3 rebounds across 30 games), Galloway (7.6 points and 4.6 rebounds across 33 games), Lee (6.8 points and 5.4 rebounds across 33 games) and Stattmann (6.6 points across 23 games) were the other main contributors, with King providing another scoring option after joining during the season.

Jack McVeigh earned All-NBL Second Team, club MVP and Members’ Choice MVP honours, Andrews received the Players’ Player award and Galloway was named Defensive Player of the Year. Barker’s effort across his first year in Cairns was recognised with the Coaches Award, while Richardson (0 points across 2 games) received the Commitment to Community award.

Cairns finished ninth with a 9-24 record and missed the postseason. Their season ended at Eventfinda Stadium on February 19, where New Zealand won 115-84 behind Mennenga (32 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists), with Andrews (24 points and 7 assists) and Stattmann (20 points and 5 rebounds) leading Cairns as Barker (6 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist) played 20:20 in the loss.

Lachlan Barker currently plays for the Cairns Taipans and has played 76 games in his NBL career. He has averaged 3 points, 0.8 rebounds, and 0.6 assists since entering the league in 2021.